CANYON, Texas (Oct. 15, 2021) – A young Oklahoma Christian squad pushed perennial NCAA Division II power West Texas A&M in the final two sets before falling 3-0 (25-14, 27-25, 25-21) to the Buffaloes on Friday night in The Box.

The match between OC (6-12, 2-7 Lone Star Conference) and West Texas A&M (13-2, 7-2) marked the return of OC coach Jason Skoch to the school where he enjoyed great success over his 10-year tenure, guiding the Buffaloes to three regional championships. Skoch is in his first season coaching the Eagles, who are playing their first fall season since 1983.

West Texas A&M controlled the first set, never trailing and eventually winning by double digits. The Buffaloes appeared to be in command of the second set, up 24-16 with eight set points in hand, before OC reeled off nine straight points. Allyssa Hamlin and Morgan Demuth each had two kills during the run and Demuth's second, off a set from Jovana Cernjanski, gave the Eagles a 25-24 lead and a set point.

But West Texas A&M received a kill from Katrina Johnson before an OC attack error gave the Buffaloes a ninth set point, which they cashed in on a kill from Samantha Jordan, prevailing 27-25.

Undeterred, OC jumped to a 4-0 lead in the third set and held the lead as late as 14-13 before West Texas A&M edged ahead and closed out the set at 25-21, and thus the match.

Hannah Rouse led OC with seven kills. Kyla Chavez had 17 assists and Brylie Berryman had 15 digs for the Eagles. Torrey Miller led West Texas A&M's offense with 13 kills. The Buffaloes hit .218 for the match, while OC hit .071.

OC will visit Eastern New Mexico on Saturday for a match that will begin at 1 p.m. Central time (noon Mountain time).